S&P Downgrades and Banks: Threats to Global Stability

Nomi Prins / Truthdig Jan 19, 2012 The markets weren’t shocked by last week’s wave of pre-broadcast S&P sovereign debt downgrades. For months, the question wasn’t “if” but “when.” And true to form, just as with the U.S. downgrade, S&P’s reasoning skated the surface of prevailing wisdom.Standard & Poor’s likes moving on Friday nights after the markets are closed. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

‘Left, Right & Center’: Leaving Iraq, for Better or Worse

Staff / Truthdig Dec 17, 2011 What's America's legacy in Iraq going to be? Can we read it accurately from this moment, now that the war is "officially" over? Also on this week's rundown of topics for "Left, Right & Center" panelists Robert Scheer, Matt Miller, Chrystia Freeland and Mark Tapscott are Fannie and Freddie vs. the SEC and a farewell to Christopher Hitchens. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

SEC Slaps Former Fannie, Freddie Execs With Fraud Charges

Staff / Truthdig Dec 17, 2011 It's a start, but let's hope Friday's fraud charges against six former higher-ups at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac don't represent the only attempts that the Securities and Exchange Commission will make to hold financial executives responsible for the disastrous economic mess that's still upon us. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Been There, Thought That

Eugene Robinson / Truthdig Dec 16, 2011 Can we please bury the notion that Newt Gingrich is some kind of deep thinker? His intellect may be as broad as the sea, but it's about as deep as a birdbath. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Paulson Tipped Hedge Funds About Market Meltdown

Staff / Truthdig Nov 29, 2011 Back in July of 2008, when most of us were still blissfully ignorant about the approaching economic apocalypse, then-Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson was very aware of some important market distress signals, and he chose to share some of those with an elite group of financial executives, Bloomberg reported Tuesday. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Barney Frank to Call It Quits

Staff / Truthdig Nov 28, 2011 Want to get a quick read on another American's politics? Say the words Barney Frank The Massachusetts congressman has become a distinctive presence in the House of Representatives over the last 32 years, becoming a lightning rod for condemnation and celebration, depending on where you sit On Monday (more) Updated. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Newt’s Parade

Mike Luckovich / Truthdig Nov 21, 2011 Dig deeper

Mortgage Rates Reach Record Low

Staff / Truthdig Sep 29, 2011 U.S. mortgage rates on 30-year fixed loans have fallen to a record low after the Federal Reserve last week announced its plan to reduce borrowing costs by replacing short-term debt with more long-term debt. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘Left, Right & Center’: Mubarak Steps Down; Budget Wars

Staff / Truthdig Feb 12, 2011 Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has resigned in the wake of massive anti-government protests that lasted more than two weeks. What's next for Egypt after this historic revolution? Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Run Up Huge Tab for Taxpayers

Staff / Truthdig Oct 22, 2010 So, remember that whole bailout thing that began a couple of years ago? It's not over yet, at least not when it comes to those delinquent housing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac According to new government projections, the Fannie and Freddie bailout fiasco could (continued). Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Whistle-Blower They Ignored

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Apr 14, 2010 There aren’t too many genuine heroes to come out of the banking disaster, but Armando Falcon is one of them -- and had he been listened to, a significant part of the housing crisis could have been mitigated. There aren’t too many genuine heroes to come out of the banking disaster, but Armando Falcon is one of them. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Treasury Digging Deeper for Fannie and Freddie

Staff / Truthdig Dec 25, 2009 Who knew the Treasury Department had such deep pockets? Well, besides all of Wall Street, we can put the beleaguered duo that is Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on the list. The Treasury has obligingly removed the $400 billion cap previously assigned to the funding designated to save the two mortgage firms. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )